What Falcons players said after 31-24 win over Panthers

Duke Riley on his first start at middle linebacker

Linebacker stepped up due to injury in team's first win of season.

JULIO JONES, wide receiver

On the red zone: "We didn't' come out with new plays or nothing like that. We just went out there and executed."

On Matt Ryan's rushing touchdowns: "I know, he needs to be careful. He can get hurt out there and we are going to fight. No, that was a great job. He did a great job."

RICARDO ALLEN, strong and free safety 

On Jordan Richards: "I know he practiced hard this week. He hasn't been here long, but he's really smart. He's a bright kid. He really understands the defense enough to get us out of downs. I just know I had to go. Jordan became my new partner. I just have to keep talking to him every play. ... We made it out, but it was tough."

On adversity defense had to overcome: "That's just life. There has never been an NFL roster or and NFL depth chart that started the same and ended the same. You never want injuries in the first two weeks, but man, at the end of the day, there are people looking for opportunities. There are people who are ready to play. That's what we have on this team, they are ready for action and they finally got their chances."

On Trufant's push-ups: "That's what we do in practice. We don't get very many opportunities to catch the ball, so when we do we have to make it count. You could just tell that he wanted that."

How many do you have to do in practice: "10 or 20. If you want to go for the 20, that's a good one. I'm not doing (any) push-ups in the game. I need all of that energy."

On his interception: "I haven't scored yet in the NFL. I was trying to score. But they did a good job of recovering. My guys were blocking for me good, but they did a good job of coming to get me."

On the division win: "Just coming off losing so many really good players, we lost three Pro Bowlers. Just to get out there and show them that we are willing to fight for them. ... We out there and we a battled together."

ROBERT ALFORD, cornerback

On whether the defense was key to the team's performance today: "Yes. From what I've seen out there, although I'm pretty sure that once we go in tomorrow we'll see some things that we need to correct."

On the game plan for Cam Newton: "Just contain him. We know that they're going to use Cam a lot this year, they're going to put a lot on his shoulders and we know he loves to scramble and things of that sort."

On the defense's reaction to Damontae Kazee being ejected: "It wasn't a problem at all. We practice three-man depth in case something were to happen. Unfortunately, it happened today, but it was the next man up and we didn't lose a beat. We called the same play calling and went out there and executed."

RYAN SCHRAEDER, right tackle

On the offense: "We got the run game going early. We stayed on it and wore the guys down. We mixed in the play-action pass, the boot (legs) and I felt like we really opened up our offense and wore those guys down. To put up the points that we did, it feels good."

On the red zone: "That just shows you that when you put the work it and you correct your mistakes, the NFL is week to week. You have to keep working and it shows."

On the interior linemen versus Kawann Short and Dontari Poe: "I felt they handled those guys really well. Those two guys are really good players and a load to handle. Wes came in when Andy had to go out and we didn't miss a beat. I'm really proud of Wes. He's gotten a lot better as a player and Brandon, it's working pretty good with me and him on the right side."

On Ryan’s rushing touchdowns: “Whatever you can do. It was awesome. That play at the goal line pumped us all up. That was huge.”

CALVIN RIDLEY, wide receiver

On his first career NFL touchdown:

“It was pretty good. Same thing I did in practice. It was a really good feeling and for Matt to connect with me for my first touchdown, it felt good.”

On the team’s improvements in the red zone:

“We lost the Eagles game and looked at what mistakes were made and we fixed it. We came out today and played a complete football game. We know we are capable of scoring lots of points and helping the team move the ball.”

On the importance of coming back after last weeks’ loss:

“It’s very important. You want to make a statement the next game that we are a great team and can move the ball and make plays.”

DUKE RILEY, linebacker 

On the team's performance: "Overall, I felt like we communicated well. There were some ups and downs. I felt like we fought hard. It was a great overall win and all wins aren't pretty. Of course, at the end, I have to finish and make that play. I'll get that corrected. Other than that, I felt like we fought hard as a defense."

On the final drive of the game: "We knew it was finish time and we had to finish. We knew they were going to take some deep shots so we just had to trust our technique."

On his first career start: "The first game started off a little slow. They got those three points they should have not got. After I got warmed up and got in a rhythm, I felt like I was communicating well. I have a long way to go. It's just a start. I'm happy we got the W and my brothers fought hard. Overall, we have a lot to work on. That's the beauty of it. It's the first one for me, being out there and getting all those reps."

DE’VONDRE CAMPBELL, linebacker 

On Carolina's offense: "They have a really explosive offense. Coming into the game, we knew that a part of our game plan was taking 1 (Cam Newton) and 22 (Christian McCaffrey) away, and we knew that if we could limit them, we would have a chance to win the game at the end, and that is what happened."

On having back to back division games: "It's huge. We got 3 back to back playoff teams, very tough opponents. All of them finished in the top of the division, so it is really going to be a huge test for us early in the season, and it just shows that we don't have any room for mishaps. We have to approach every game like it's a do-or-die situation, and I think we're doing a good job of that, we just have to continue to take it week by week."

DESMOND TRUFANT, cornerback

On the offensive performance:

“Offense was clicking, and the defense, we were moving solid up until the end. We kind of fell off a little bit. But it is what it is, they get paid too, it’s a division game, they have great players. So at the end of the day, we won. We got a defensive stop at the end, so I’ll take it.”

On Carolina attacking the middle defense with missing starters:

“They might have been attacking it, but whatever their game plan is they are going to go with it. That must have been their game plan, but guys stepped up, made a lot of plays, and we made enough plays to win at the end of the day, so I’m happy about that.”